TAXI drivers have been urged to bone up on guide dog rules after claims a diabetic assistance pooch was denied entry to a cab.

Brief details of the case heard at the latest Stockton Council licensing committee were revealed at Tuesday’s Home Safety Association during discussions about guide dogs.

Cllr Mohammed Javed said: "I’ve just come across a case where a lady tried to get into the taxi (with the dog) but they were refused. But they are not aware of the rules – I spoke to a lot of taxi drivers who said they were just not aware of it. They were aware of the blind guide dogs, not for those for diabetes.”

Medical response dogs for diabetes are trained to respond to signs that an owner may be experiencing low blood sugar levels.

The dogs use their keen sense of smell to pick up on subtle changes of odour to detect blood glucose.

Blind and partially-sighted people who have been refused access to taxis due to guide dogs visited Parliament this week to ask for compulsory equality training for drivers.